Betty Makoni, a Zimbabwean activist has encouraged girls to take their education seriously. “I advise girls to work very hard in school and attain highest grades possible,” Ms. Makoni said. “Don’t listen to all this trash that educated women don’t get married and build families.”

She warned girls that abandoning their studies would lead to terrible consequences. Many women who stopped education as girls to elope and get married are now miserable, Ms. Makoni said.

“Better be with a certificate in education as it will never divorce you no matter what. A man of quality is not afraid of equality,” Ms. Makoni advised girls.

Ms. Makoni is the Founder and Director of Girl Child Network (GCN) Zimbabwe. She is also Chief Executive Officer of Girl Child Network World Wide (GCNW). This is an organization that champions the rights of the girl child globally.

“Marriage should not be an oppressive institution. This is where you should be loved and supported,” Ms. Makoni told girls.

She praised men “who see educated women as contributors and not competitors.”